Raze Abandoned Brewery: Balanoff

September 18, 1990

CHICAGO — State Rep. Clem Balanoff (D-Chicago) on Monday said he would urge the owners of the abandoned Falstaff brewery on the Southeast Side to tear down the factory, which was the site of an accident that killed a 10-year-old boy. ``Nobody`s going to open up that place as a brewery, so it certainly should be demolished,`` he said.

The body of Ricky Rodriguez was found at the bottom of a grain silo at the brewery last week. Police believe Rodriguez, who had been missing since April, fell to his death while playing with friends.

Rodriguez`s family also has called for the building to be razed because it attracts children. Balanoff said that he is writing to Pearl Brewing Co. and Pearl`s owner, General Brewing Co., in Vancouver, Wash., to urge increased security at the site until it can be demolished. He said he also will ask city officials to push for action.